The opposition to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) set up to consider the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act continues to grow. Following Opposition MPs’ threat to disassociate themselves from the panel in protest over its chairman’s “unilateral decisions”, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has now expressed concern over the JPC’s alleged constitutional violations and side-stepping of the established rules.
The opposition to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) set up to consider the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act continues to grow. Following Opposition MPs’ threat to disassociate themselves from the panel in protest over its chairman’s “unilateral decisions”, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has now expressed concern over the JPC’s alleged constitutional violations and side-stepping of the established rules.
The Board has accused the panel’s chair of giving time and attention to those with no locus standi on the issue. “The Joint Parliamentary Committee should seek suggestions or opinions only from the relevant persons or organisations who are directly involved with Waqf, those who can be said to be stakeholders. Unfortunately, the JPC chairman is seeking suggestions from Central Ministries, the Archaeological Survey of India, the RSS-supported organisations, and many others, who have no stake in the Waqf functioning,” said AIMPLB spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas.
He alleged that the JPC had gone “beyond its brief” and “failed to consult Members of the Opposition in deciding whom to meet and when”. The AIMPLB spokesman asked the committee not to submit its recommendation in a hurry. “Haste should be avoided and all stakeholders should be consulted for exhaustive discussions,” he said.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.
